Lucius and Damian exchanged a brief glance, and without saying a word, both of them pushed forward at the same time.
Instead of walking leisurely, they began to run.
With every step they took on the pressure grew heavier. It could not be compared to the previous first fifty steps. Now every tenth step they took, they felt the pressure on their bodies doubled drastically.
As Damian stood to his right, Lucius glanced at him and saw that he was keeping up easily. Even as they sprinted, both of them were giving their all, trying to outdo one another.
A small smile formed on Lucius's face. He never expected to feel such rivalry in this new world.
"You seem to be struggling, Damian," he teased.
"In your dreams. I still have enough Qi and stamina to beat you."
Damian did not wait for Lucius to reply. He wrapped more Qi around his body, and the muscles in his legs tightened.
Lucius glanced to his right and saw that Damian was already a few steps ahead of him.
"Impressive," Lucius said softly.
Lucius followed Damian and used more Qi around his own body. Once again, he was running neck and neck with him.
"I wouldn't make it too easy for you," Lucius said as they reached the ninetieth step. His breathing began to grow heavier, and his body was truly starting to struggle.
Damian took another step, but the pressure became too much for him to handle. He gritted his teeth.
Lucius glanced upward and saw that they were close to the finish. An idea suddenly formed in his mind.
He slowed to a stop and crouched down, remaining completely still. The crushing pressure from the stairs pressed down on him from all sides, but he did not resist it. Instead, he allowed his body to adjust, letting his muscles, bones, and breathing fall into rhythm with the weight bearing down on him.
Qi flowed quietly within him.
He guided it downward until it wrapped tightly around his legs.
Then—
He pushed off the stair.
Qi exploded beneath his feet in a violent burst, cracking the air as Lucius shot upward. His body lifted cleanly off the steps, propelled by raw force.
He soared through the air, flying past Damian in a blur.
Damian's eyes widened as he looked up, catching sight of Lucius above him, a cheeky grin spread across his face as he passed overhead.
"Show off," Damian muttered under his breath.
Lucius felt free as he soared through the air. It had been a long time since he last felt this way. There was no prophecy guiding his steps, no battle waiting for him at the end.
He still carried the teachings he had learned from Goddess Celestia. He had always followed them, never once straying from her path. But this time was different. This time, he would walk his own road.
Perhaps Goddess Celestia had sent him here not for some grand purpose, but so he could experience the life he had once missed.
Since childhood, Lucius had trained and fought without rest. Taking a break had always been a luxury he could never afford. Every day, he stood on the front lines, protecting the people from the Demons.
If the Demons ever learned that Lucius had stopped, even for a moment, they would surge forward in greater numbers. He could not allow that. He could not bear the thought that innocent lives might be lost because of him.
Lucian noticed a wide clearing above as he reached the final stretch. The pressure that had weighed on him for so long faded all at once, like a heavy chain snapping apart. He descended lightly and landed on the stone floor with ease, his feet barely making a sound.
The moment he touched the ground, his shoulders relaxed, and he breathed out a long, deep sigh. It felt as if every burden he had carried had finally loosened its grip.
He stood still for a moment, letting the calm sink in. The air in the clearing felt different and lighter, he did not feel any strain on his body.
Lucian lifted his gaze to the open sky above and whispered softly, his voice filled with quiet gratitude, "Thank you, Goddess Celestia, for giving me this new life."
His legs gave way shortly after, and he lowered himself onto the ground, lying flat on his back. The stone beneath him was cool, but comforting. He could feel it clearly now—his Qi was almost completely depleted.
The sensation reminded him of mana exhaustion from his previous life that spread through his body. It was not pain, just the kind of fatigue that came from pushing oneself to the limit. He knew that all he needed was rest. Given time, his body would recover on its own.
Lucian closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax fully for the first time since the exam began.
A set of calm footsteps approached. "Quite a display you put on there," a voice said, amused yet approving.
Lucian opened his eyes and turned his head slightly. Elder Victor stood nearby, hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile on his weathered face.
Lucian smiled in return. "Just a friendly rivalry with a new friend I made," he replied casually.
Elder Victor let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, how good it is to be young."
Lucian felt the urge to roll his eyes, but he held it back and simply smiled instead. There was no malice in the elder's words, only nostalgia.
After a brief pause, Elder Victor continued, his tone turning more formal. "Congratulations on coming first in both exams, Lucius."
Lucian pushed himself upright, the fatigue still lingering but no longer weighing him down. He rose to his feet as Elder Victor stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Well done," the elder said warmly. "Welcome to the Clear Sky Sect."
"Thank you, Elder Vicotor."
Lucian shook his hand and nodded in appreciation. He looked ahead, feeling hopeful about this new life and the two new friends he had just made. He had no need to worry. Damian would pass, and he had faith that Raveena would pass as well.